Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-04-23
FALLS TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON I 7
From Our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, April 8, 1887.
1t looks very much as if the name o
Mr.. Whitney will live in history as the
naval secretary" He has just taken an
other step towards the improvement anc
building up of the navy. This was the
sending forth of an announcement invit
ing sealed proposals from the shipbuild,
ers of the United States for the building
OF five new iron vessels. All Americans
with yards equipped can compete, speed il
an important consideration. and extra
premium for extra quarter knots is guar
anteed contractors.
Three of the vessels are cruisers and
must be completed within two years. The
others are to be gun boats and must be
completed within a year and a half. 1t is
also required that one of the vessels shall
be built on or near the coast of the Pacific
ocean,, n Of them on or near the coast of
the Gulf of Mexico, and two of them on
or near the Atlantic ocean.
There has been a good deal of comment
here in regard to the withdrawal from the
national drill, which takes place next
month, two of the prominent Alabama
companies, the "True Blues and the
"Greys,' because some colored militia will
participate in the contest. It is argued by
the managers of the coming event that
since it's to be a national encampment
and drill, they have no right, civil, militia
ry or moral, to exclude regularly organ
ICED soldiery on account of their color.
lie drill has the recognition of the gov
ernment, in this sense is an national affair,
and is simply intended to illustrate the
proficiency of volunteer soldiery in the
manuel Of arms and military maneovres.
The social aspects of the occasion are
quite another thing. Soldiers WI camp
on the same field are not obliged to put up
at the same hotel, or eat at the same table.
AS citizens they are still privileged to Sc
1ect their oWn associates. CoIored troops
took part in president Cleveland's inaugu-
ration, they were assigned a place in the
ceremonies attending the laying of the
eorner stone of the City hall at Virginia's
capital. The managing committee of the
national drill, which is composed almost
exclusively of democrats and southern
men, did not hesitate to admit the two col
ored companies which applied for entry.
And, indeed, it is not quite clear why the
militia system Of the country is in any
more danger from the colored element.
which is lawfully recognized in its organ
%ization, than is the regular army, which
enlists colored men in its service and CON
yerts them into soldiers.
The first day that the Interstate com
merce commission was empowered to act
Judiciallly. which was on Tuesday (the day
that the law went into effect it selected
permanent office quarters. The next day
ii announced its first official act-the sus-
pension of the 'slong and short haul'' clause.
as effecting the entire Southern railway
and Steamship Association. It is suspend
ed Tor a period not to exceed ninety days,
and is subject to revocation at any time BY
the commission.
The Washington home of the new COM
mission is in a beautiful new building with
white marble front, recently erected by
the Baltimore Sun company. Each com
missioner will have a spacious apartment
there to himself. Applications for APP
pointInents under the commission continue
to come in by mail. One applicant writes
that he IS about to take a pleasure trip to
Europe, and that should the commission !
require his services before the date fixed
for his return they may cable him at his
expense.
When the champion pugilist OF the
world visited the white house one day this
week, it is alleged that in an ungarded
moment he gave expression to the opinion
a series of Turkish baths would i'm
prove the Presidents health. It was for
tunate for the muscle developer that he
not belong to the Medical Association
Of the District of Columbia, or he would
investigated for expressing sentiments
70 in conflict with the exalted "ethics, of
he medical society.
There is in connection with the ordeal
trough which DR.. Sowets has just passed
or having remarked recently at an even
ng club that the manner of life pursued
y the president was in danger Of leading I,